DISCUSSION: Free Templates

guilliam · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:23 am

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this thread is specifically made thru for the DISCUSSION of the thread located here: http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,25306.0.html

- Please post additions, corrections, or comments on this thread.

We thank Ken McDonald for his time and efforts in gathering all this resources.

*Primary gathering of the list of resources was Done by kenmcd. credits and gratitude goes to him.

- guilliam

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mosey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:09 am

(not a discussion, but would it be possible to post a link to the tutorial on 'installing templates' somewhere on the page please? thanks!

)

fullview · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:24 pm

hi guilliam

After trying to create a template, I have the following question, to add a background to the template would I have to add it to the css file or hardcode it into the template.

also to add static images as buttons can i hardcode them intothe template and then link them to the specific pages ( would this then still open the content into the allowcated content space.

After reading your reply to me re: site looks like solarflare, I have done research and am busy creating a template using nvu-1 with the mambo template builder extension.

So thanks for the insperation to create my own templates

regards
Robert

guilliam · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:56 pm

hi robert,

you have two things as alternatives here.. you can either embed the WHOLE bg image as hard coded in the index.php of your template OR you can include it in the css.

1. hardcoding - in your index.php place this:

Code:

body {   background-image: url(<?php echo $mosConfig_live_site;?>/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE_NAME/images/your_image.jpg); }

2. in your css:

Code:

body {
   background-image  : url(../images/your_image.jpg);  
}

either which way will work,.. bear in mind that css is an EXTERNAL file being called from your template.. same as INCLUDE files in PHP.

- g

fullview · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:20 pm

hi thanks once again I figured it out and used the css way, lol another question, I am redesigning a client/friens site and want to convert it to joomla, not I used a javascript dropdown menu ( attached) is it possable to code this into the template aswell,the menu links will always be the same so i can handcode the links into the script ( will this work), if i am expecting to much from joomla is there maybe another option.

the website is http://www.oceansafrica.com

sorry if i am bothering you, but your response time is quick and to the point.

regards
Robert

yabba dabba · **Joined:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:03 pm **Posts:** 96

Some "Donations" modules to add to your list:

SocietyWare :: Paypal Donation Module 1.12
http://societyware.com/index.php?option ... 2&Itemid=2

EZ Donate module
http://www.justjoomla.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=34

Jasper · **Posted:** Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:42 pm

I have updated my Journal Templates to 1.1 and fixed some bugs:

Fixed:
-FireFox header shifting problem.
-And a background color bug that i had misplaced in the stylesheet

I am working on the templates most of the time so you can expect a 1.2 soon
But for now that Will be mainly visual improvements.

And there will be a special Journal Style Template to wrap a forum in.

snowsteve · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:05 am **Posts:** 11

Im new to this joomla! world, and after spending 40+ hours reading Faqs, verious user groups and "How To" guide- I have finally installed my Joomla and even added the VirtueMart software.. While I have found a few free Joomla! templates (and even uploaded them), I have not been able to find any VirtueMart templates (nor "how-To's" to create them)

Any advice, or suggestions?

Thanks
Steve

Joomlawebber · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:55 pm

Hi Steve,
There are NO so called viirtuemart templates, and by this i mean that all templates can be used to virtuemart.
What you might want to look for is a portal design in the different free template sites, or look up the sites offering commercial templates that fits your need.

/K

snowsteve · **Joined:** Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:05 am **Posts:** 11

Thanks... I guess a more corect statement for my post above would have been... I cant seem to find any free Joomla templates that leverages the features provided by VirtueMart. and I was really looking fowrad to finding a tutotial template that incorporated the Virtuemart features...
any suggestions?

Joomlawebber · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:34 am

snowsteve wrote:

Thanks... I guess a more corect statement for my post above would have been... I cant seem to find any free Joomla templates that leverages the features provided by VirtueMart. and I was really looking fowrad to finding a tutotial template that incorporated the Virtuemart features...
any suggestions?

The best thing is always to design a template yourself, but of course, if you dont know how to, then i can see the problem...
Have you looked at some of the sites with commercial templates? There are some awesome templates out there, and they are not all expensive

Jasper · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 3:16 pm

I have updated the Journal templates again... fixed a install bug and added some more visual elements to the skin.

Enjoy

The path to the templates has changed..

http://conceptweb.jabstar.nl/v2/index.p ... &Itemid=70

day · **Joined:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:20 pm **Posts:** 241

Mambo Hut has quite an array of free templates compatible with Joomla. http://www.mambohut.com/index.php?optio ... tcat&cat=2

Samsara2006 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 16, 2006 7:17 pm

Jasper wrote:

I have updated the Journal templates again... fixed a install bug and added some more visual elements to the skin.

Enjoy

The path to the templates has changed..

http://conceptweb.jabstar.nl/v2/index.p ... &Itemid=70

I second that motion.
Original URI is:

Not Found
The requested document was not found on this server.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Web Server at jabstar.nl

day · **Joined:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:20 pm **Posts:** 241

Jasper wrote:

I have updated the Journal templates again... fixed a install bug and added some more visual elements to the skin.

nice work, jasper.

i wonder why samsara got the error message.
i have already downloded one template, and it workd fine!

Samsara2006 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:41 pm

day - I did not get the error message from the URI that Jasper says is the new URI.
I was 2nding his motion that the original URI had changed.

The forum for the new templates still had[s?] the old URI listed and hence, the error message.
Had it still listed as of my posting of the "2nd that motion" post.

Sorry for the confusion.

day · **Joined:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:20 pm **Posts:** 241

Samsara2006 wrote:

day - I did not get the error message from the URI that Jasper says is the new URI.
I was 2nding his motion that the original URI had changed.

sorry, samsara, for my haste.
in the 'samsara' we are immersed in, such confusions do happen

rin · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 4:51 pm **Posts:** 27

Hi,

I'm a newbie. So far I have successfully installed a couple of templates for testing. But with one of the templates, when I view my site, the images don't load, I'm left with missing graphics. When I check the images file, the images are actually there. What did I do wrong? What should I check first?

Thank you.

Joomlawebber · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 7:44 am

Hi rin,
Check your templateDetails.xml file to see if the images have been included in it.
If so, check up on the index.php file, just in case that the designer didnt use css for the images, and just put them directly in the template.
If they are in directly in the template, try to see the image path for it, it might need to be corrected.

If it you still cant get it to work, send me a PM, and i can take a look at it

rin · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 4:51 pm **Posts:** 27

Hi Joomlawebber I have sent you a PM

Jasper · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2006 6:55 pm

Updated the Journal Templates Again.. Fixed the can't find logo.gif error you get when installing the template.

No visual changes this time i'am working on that.

rin · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 4:51 pm **Posts:** 27

Hi everybody,

I'm tempted to just PM Joomlawebber since he's been so nice but I know he's busy so I hope someone could help me.

One of my free templates uses image changer to change the banner header (or header banner...?)

Anyway the original code is

Code:

<?PHP
// Image Changer 
// image and site ID`s 
$image1 = array(1,2,3,8,9,10,15,18,19);
$image2 = array(4,5,6,7,11,12,13,14,20,21);
$image3 = array(17,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30);
// $image4 = array(17,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30);
// $image5 = array(17,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30);
// $image6 = array(17,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30);
// $image7 = array(17,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30);
// etc.

// looking for images
$header="head.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image1)) $header="head.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image2)) $header="head01.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head02.jpg";
// if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head03.jpg";
// if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head04.jpg";
// if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head05.jpg";
// if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head06.jpg";
// if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head07.jpg";
// etc.
?>

I've tried to act smart and change the code (since I wanted more images to rotate) and change it to

Code:

<?PHP
// Image Changer 
// image and site ID`s 
$image1 = array(1,2,3,25,26,27,49,50,51);
$image2 = array(4,5,6,28,29,30,52,53,54,55);
$image3 = array(7,8,9,31,32,33,56,57,58,59);
$image4 = array(10,11,12,34,35,36,60,61,62,63);
$image5 = array(13,14,15,37,38,39,64,65,66,67);
$image6 = array(16,17,18,40,41,42,68,69,70,71);
$image7 = array(19,20,21,43,44,45,72,73,74,75);
$image8 = array(22,23,24,46,47,48,76,77,78,79);
// etc.

// looking for images
$header="head.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image1)) $header="head.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image2)) $header="head01.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image3)) $header="head02.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image4)) $header="head03.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image5)) $header="head04.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image6)) $header="head05.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image7)) $header="head06.jpg";
if (in_array($Itemid, $image8)) $header="head07.jpg";
// etc.
?>

But it doesn't work. Only three Images are rotated like the original. I'm guessing the site ID is wrong? I have no clue what site ID is and tried to read about PHP but it confuses me even more because I don't know what I'm looking at.

Please, could someone help me?

Thanks.

livingfree · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:42 am

Hi all

This is a tall ask, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a 'made for adsense' type template, preferably free. I have recently been reviewing a lot of information from Michael Cheney & Joel Comm (Adsense Gurus) and although my Joomla site is not intended to be an 'adsense site', I would like to make the most use of adsense in it.

I am aware that you can use Adsense Modules etc in existing templates but what I am really after is a template designed by someone who understands the fundamental concepts of these 'gurus' ie. well integrated adsense sites (http://tinyurl.com/mua6d and http://tinyurl.com/emjce) and has implemented that into a template.

Any suggestions are most welcome. Maybe this might inspire some designers to create adsense integrated sites.

Hope you can help. $:-\$

RedEvo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:02 pm

Hi,

We now have 33 free templates available. View them @ [Self Promotion Link Removed - ChiefGoFor] and grab them from [Self Promotion Link Removed - ChiefGoFor]

cheers

d

livingfree · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:41 pm

Thanks for that. I like some of them.

Are they Adsense optimized sites tho?

RedEvo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:44 pm

not sure what you are after? Adsense optimised in what way?

By the way I know Mike Cheney, he lives near me ;-)

d

livingfree · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:57 pm

That the templates have the right module positions to add adsense into etc. A great many of the templates I've looked at don't have allowances for module positions precoded into the template and I've spent a few hours trying to adapt a number of them that I liked but it all became too hard.

I was hoping there might be someone out there who is familiar with Michael Cheney & Joel Comm's recommendations for adsense optimized sites and may have created templates specifically for this.

I'm trying to setup a fun & funky parenting site for parents to chill out, get some good parenting info, share experiences and any other content they wish to add, have a chat, hangout and generally have some fun & laughs as well ... and I'd like to fund it by running it optimized with Adsense & some affiliate programs etc.

A lot of the sites are very businessy and fun & casual like I would like it to be so I having to do lots of tweaking & designing etc.

It was just a hope anyway .. save my hair turning grey or disappearing all together! :-[

How cool that you know Michael .. maybe you could ask him how to best optimize a template for Adsense. I'm sure there would be many interested.

RedEvo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:02 pm

Well.......Adsense works best if the adverts are placed in your content, a bit like we have done on http://www.verticalexpression.co.uk in the Dance Articles. They also work nicely at the end of an article. What's not so good is placing them down the lift hand side of your sites or the right for that matter.

All of Mike's tips can be easily followed by adding your Adsense code in when you add content although you will have to do this with the WYSIWYG editor turned off so it doesn't mangle your Adsense code. Learning to create content with a plain text editor (i.e. writing simple HTML) will serve you well for AdSense success ;-)

Give it a go.

d

livingfree · **Posted:** Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:11 pm

Yeah, that's pretty much what I've been doing. But it was taking so long & was worried about corrupting the HTML code etc so I was hoping I might have been able to find one that I could do minimal adjustments on.

I was trying to use the Joomla Adsense Modules instead of inserting it straight into the template but this is my first time using CMS and Joomla so it's been a try & learn process. I can see the benefits of using CMS which stops me from running off and just doing it quickly as I know how in a straight up HTML website.

Thanks for your help

rin · **Joined:** Mon May 15, 2006 4:51 pm **Posts:** 27

livingfree,

You can use an Adsense module by Joomlaspan for the ad on your right and you can use an Adsense mambot for the ad in your content. You don't have to put in the code into your content or site. To me it's pretty easy to customize.

Just a suggestion.

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